The information volume of the message recorded in 8-bit encoding is 18 bytes. This message was recoded

The information volume of the message recorded in 8-bit encoding is 18 bytes. This message was recoded into 16-bit encoding, and then several characters were removed, after which the message size was 126 bits. How many characters were removed after transcoding?

First, let’s determine how many characters are in the original message:
18 bytes = 18 x 8 = 144 bits (1 byte = 8 bits);
144 bits: 8 bits (original encoding) = 18 characters.
When this message is converted into 16-bit encoding, the message size will be:
18 characters x 16 bits = 288 bits.
Let’s determine how much memory the deleted characters occupied, if after deleting the message size became 126 bits:
288 – 128 = 160 bits.
This amount of memory corresponds to 160: 16 = 10 characters.
Answer: 10 characters have been removed from the message.